The mayoral election saw progressive North Toronto councillor Anne Johnston challenge incumbent Art Eggleton.

[2] Most pairs of incumbent councillors reached tacit agreements with one running for city council and the other for Metro.

The one battle between two incumbents was in Ward 5 where in a surprise upset junior councillor Ron Kanter defeated the long serving Ying Hope.

In the east end NDPers Dorothy Thomas lost in a surprise upset to conservative Paul Christie.

Ward 7 Metro Councillor Joanne Campbell resigned on September 8, 1987 to accept an appointment to chair the provincial Social Assistance Review Board.

Michael Colle who was alderman for ward 2 in the previous term tried unsuccessfully to obtain a seat on the Board of Control.